ICE Barcelona 2026 to showcase 12 gaming start-ups through Pitch ICE program

ICE Barcelona 2026 will spotlight 12 emerging gaming start-ups through its Pitch ICE initiative, offering them a platform to present their innovations to top investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The winning start-up will receive €15,000 (US$17,672) in AWS credits and the Pitch ICE 2026 Trophy.

The 12 shortlisted businesses are eyeDP, led by Warren Russell; Whizdom AI, led by Sudhamshu Addanki; Tugi Tark OÜ, led by Harpo Lilja; The Casino Factory with Longford International College, led by Anthony Keller; PROMOFY, led by Irakli Davarshvili; Research iGaming, led by Philisiwe Bhengu; Complianceplay AI, led by Isabelle Zanzer; THNDR, led by Desiree Dickerson; Master Affiliates Network, led by Karina Ferraioli; Swiss Shufflers Ltd, led by Joseph Somma; Fantasy Gambling League, Inc., led by Tom Tatun; and Loserball, led by Jonathan Gruber.

"Pitch ICE has a distinguished track record of spotlighting the brightest innovators in gaming tech," said ICE Portfolio Director Margaret Dunn. "It provides a unique opportunity and high-profile platform for start-ups to showcase their products, innovations and solutions as well as explain their business models in front of an international audience of potential investors, partners and industry leaders.

Dunn added that the relocation to Barcelona has driven a surge in entries, with submissions more than tripling compared to when ICE was held in London. "Our theme for ICE Barcelona 2026 is 'Growing the Power of Play' and Pitch ICE is about helping to nurture the start-up community and assisting them in their growth journey at a critical juncture in their development," she said.

The judges for Pitch ICE 2026 include Jeff Miller, Managing Partner at JJK Partners; Maxime Sbeghen, Head of Investment at FDJ UNITED Ventures; Meir Shachar, Founder & CEO of RUNWAI; and Paris Smith, Advisor & Gaming Industry Expert. They will evaluate start-ups based on innovation, disruption potential, and market impact.

In addition to the competition, ICE Barcelona will host the ICE Start-ups Accelerator, an invite-only networking event connecting new enterprises with investors. Registration is available here.

All 12 shortlisted start-ups will pitch their products on Tuesday, 20 January, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm on the Pitch ICE Stage. Each start-up will have three minutes to present, followed by a Q&A with the judging panel. The companies will also showcase their solutions in the Pitch ICE feature area between halls 4 and 5 on the show floor.